What happens to Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E)
when a commercial space is vacated? The Pasadena, California-based non-profit ANEW
says that when facility owners leave a space, most often FF&E are left
behind-a facilities management team is now responsible to liquidate
surplus.
Until recently the standard practice was for old FF&E to
be labeled as waste, picked up by a demolition crew, and hauled to a landfill. This is such a costly option considering a company’s investment in infrastructure has great
value. It is the smart choice to think proactively about moving
FF&E's out your door. The end result is a decision that properly leverages your
respective companies’ investment, and saves time and money in the process.
Construction waste accounts for about 40% of landfill content
in the United States. Though disposing of surplus in a landfill is an easy
option, it comes at a high environmental price. According to U.S. EPA
estimates, methane produced by rotting matter in landfills is the second
largest factor affecting global climate change.
What can be done to fix this situation? In most instances,
old FF&E still have a lot of life remaining; there are many organizations
that can benefit by receiving used (but eminently usable) furnishings. Simply
put, the effects of climate change are reduced through mitigation of methane
production when surplus is creatively diverted from landfills.
One solution is for facilities managers to view FF&E that
has reached its end of useful life not as waste but as something of value—and
then to divert it from a landfill and implement a sustainable alternative for
repurposing the materials. Facilities Managers can collaborate with their
furniture dealers, architects, or other project stakeholders to steward their
surplus to new homes.
A company’s surplus can benefit a recipient organization such
as a non-profit, charity, or public agency, for instance. Meanwhile, gifting
the FF&E benefits the donor company with a tax-deductible donation.
Meanwhile, depending on who the facilities manager works with to carry out the
process, they may receive a complete summary of relevant metrics including the
amount diverted and carbon footprint reduction.
Related to that, a donor organization might earn points
toward LEED accreditation for the overall facility project (if it is a
renovation, for instance). Categories related to LEED might include material
reuse, landfill diversion, and innovation.
Re-purposing surplus FF&E that still has some life in it
is a win-win situation for all involved. The donor organization can empty its
decommissioned space at a cost comparable to or lower than that of hauling to a
landfill, while the group’s corporate social responsibility gets a boost.
And the recipient organizations benefit with enhanced working
environments and maximized resources. This allows the
people who work at those organizations to focus on the vital services they
provide to their communities. Meanwhile, the environment is spared the toxic
effects of adding waste to landfills.
For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy
Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you
with your specific furniture needs- please check out our website at
www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution
for your facility. All the solutions are
Made in America!!!